CHAPTER 43

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Akira's words were simply irrefutable!

Even if one tried to analyze them carefully, something still felt off—but no one could pinpoint exactly what. At the very least, Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni's usually composed face darkened with a rare frown.

"You're completely distorting right and wrong…!"

"Even if you are the Captain-Commander, please choose your words carefully," Akira replied calmly. "If you believe I am in the wrong, then present your reasoning instead of making baseless accusations."

His words shocked everyone. How dare he speak to the Captain-Commander like this!?

For countless years, Yamamoto Genryūsai—the strongest Shinigami who had ruled over the Soul Society with absolute authority—had never been spoken to with such defiance.

"Akira, you certainly have a sharp tongue."

Yamamoto snorted coldly, but for now, he had no choice but to let it go.

Akira had played his cards well. He knew that Yamamoto was not the type of man to abandon the law in a fit of anger. As long as Akira remained within the boundaries of the rules, no matter how furious Yamamoto became, he would be unable to act against him.

It was like dancing on the edge of a blade—dangerous, yet exhilarating.

"The Captain-Commander flatters me," Akira chuckled. "So, what is your final decision?"

Yamamoto's expression remained stern as he declared, "This matter will be discussed later. Right now, our top priority is capturing the Ryoka."

"Captain-Commander, wait! I have an objection."

A sudden voice interrupted the meeting.

Akira raised an eyebrow and turned to see Aizen Sōsuke stepping forward, a faint smile on his face.

"Oh?" Akira chuckled. "Captain Aizen, what is your concern?"

Aizen's expression was calm but calculating. "Based on the intelligence I have gathered, something about this situation is highly suspicious."

The room fell silent as he continued.

"It has been confirmed that Captain Akira and Rukia Kuchiki—the criminal sentenced to execution by Central 46—have been close friends for years."

"The Ryoka who invaded the Seireitei are all connected to Rukia Kuchiki in the Human World, and their goal is clearly to rescue her."

"What!?" The captains were stunned.

"Captain Aizen… are you suggesting that Captain Akira has been aiding the intruders because of his relationship with Rukia?" Jūshirō Ukitake asked, frowning deeply.

Aizen's gaze remained sharp. "That's exactly what I'm saying. Akira has openly defied the laws of the Seireitei for personal reasons!"

Akira narrowed his eyes. "That's quite the accusation, Aizen Sōsuke."

His tone turned colder. "But don't you think you're paying a little too much attention to me?"

"Whether it was former Captain Tōsen or the current Ryoka, why is it that you, out of all the captains in the Gotei 13, have gathered so much information in advance?"

"Where did you obtain this intelligence? And why have you invested so much effort into it?"

The underlying meaning of his words was clear. Aizen's Division—the Fifth—was not an intelligence unit. That was the domain of the Second Division. Yet, somehow, Aizen had obtained detailed knowledge of the Ryoka's actions before anyone else.

"Enough!"

Yamamoto's voice silenced the growing tension.

"The old man has spoken. The most pressing issue is capturing the Ryoka. All other concerns will be addressed later."

Aizen appeared ready to argue further, but Yamamoto's stern gaze cut him off.

"If Akira has indeed conspired with the intruders, the truth will be revealed once they are apprehended and interrogated."

The meeting was dismissed.

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Akira stood alone on a quiet street in Seireitei, hands clasped behind his back, watching the sky burn with the colors of dusk.

"You usually remain in your quarters at this hour. Yet, tonight, you chose to wander outside for the first time. Were you expecting me?"

A voice spoke from the shadows.

Akira did not turn around. Instead, he replied evenly, "Wasn't your performance earlier today obvious enough, Aizen?"

In his mind, Aizen's initial façade had been one of a cautious observer, someone appearing to protect Rukia while implying there was more to her case than met the eye.

But today, Aizen had abandoned that pretense entirely. He had taken a clear stance against him.

That alone was enough to set off alarms in Akira's mind.

"Heh… So you really do know my secret."

Aizen stepped into the light, his glasses now removed.

"In that case, all those little doubts from before suddenly make perfect sense."

His voice remained composed, almost amused.

"But it no longer matters."

Aizen's smile was unreadable as he spoke his next words.

"My plan is already halfway complete. And now, you must die."

Akira let out a low chuckle and said, "Do you really think that by targeting me like this during the day, you won't provoke the Gotei 13?"

"Of course not," Aizen replied with a smirk. "I simply need to make them see how evenly matched we are—how this is nothing more than a natural clash between two forces."

"Then… I'll just kill you again at night. Whether I succeed or not, you'll still meet your end. Consider it double insurance."

Aizen didn't explicitly lay out his plan, but Akira had already seen through it.

"So that's your game," Akira mused. "You dared to fight me in Seireitei, which means you've already used Kyōka Suigetsu to manipulate perception in advance, haven't you?"

Aizen's smile deepened. "That's right. Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis is absolute. No one in Seireitei, aside from you, will realize this battle is happening because I want to kill you."

Despite the calmness in his voice, the hidden menace was unmistakable.

"In that case, what are we waiting for?"

Akira finally turned, his eyes flashing a deep, ominous red.

"Let's begin."

His words were like the signal to unleash chaos. In the next instant, both he and Aizen released their Reiatsu simultaneously—two overwhelming spiritual pressures colliding in a storm of power.

Boom!

The impact shook the surroundings as they launched their attacks at the same time.

"I know your fighting style too well. I won't give you the chance to build up your strength!"

As the holy sword in Akira's hand began to glow, Aizen, anticipating the attack, swiftly unsheathed his own blade.

"Hadō No. 78: Zangerin!"

Aizen's blade cut through the air with terrifying speed, sending a crescent-shaped blast of energy straight toward Akira.

Yet, even as the attack closed in, Akira remained completely unfazed.

"Raikō!"

With a single, commanding word, an explosive shockwave of supersonic energy erupted from his body, shattering the spiritual slash before it could reach him.

At the same time, his blade, fully charged, came down in a decisive arc.

"Excalibur!"

A blinding beam of golden light surged toward Aizen, who, unfazed, extended a single finger in response.

"Bakudō No. 81: Dankū!"

A translucent barrier rose between them, absorbing the attack.

Boom!

A thunderous explosion shook the battlefield, and despite the strength of the barrier, visible cracks formed along its surface.

"As expected… A chanted Dankū wouldn't stand a chance against that attack—let alone one cast without an incantation."

Aizen frowned slightly. Before he could reinforce his defense, Akira had already closed the distance, his sword humming with condensed spiritual energy.

The moment he breached the weakened barrier, his blade erupted with radiant power.

"Excalibur—!"

Aizen's eyes widened in surprise.

What—?!

The battlefield was instantly bathed in golden light, engulfing everything in its brilliance.

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